Is it okay to use doubled over bailing wire to secure mc cable to red iron?I bought those Caddy MC cips (I think SC4), but found it doesn't work on some off the narrow red iron with a curved lip. I needed to run the mc the length of the beam. The beam provides holes to run the bailing wire through.Is this acceptable per code?

I usually use Steel City NS-1 straps with a self drilling drywall type screw. Neer also makes straps for MC that you could use with a TEK screw. As long as your cable is supported & secured at the required intervals, I can't see anything wrong with baling wire.

Tom

Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.

No way that would fly here. The inspectors would ask -"where's the listing?" and turn it down for workmanship. Fastenal has a tec type self drilling screw that will work fine in red iron. Threads are something close to 12-24. Have used them with minis on a lot of jobs where red iron and steel beams are used. They are slower than bailing wire but much more secure and a lot better looking result is possible.

Do your inspector require staples, nails & screws to be listed also? I don't know of any requirement in the NEC for listed straps when dealing with MC cable. Of course, the inspector could always fall back on 110.2, but that would seem like a cop out.

Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.

Take a look at an older building with a plaster and lath ceiling. They were all held together with tie wire and were far superior to the wire clips that are used now. The support of raceways and MC cables with tie wire will, in my opinion, provide a much better and secure support then the listed spring clips. Spring clips are often knocked off by the other trades, but that never happens with tie wire. Don(resqcapt19)

The inspectors here will not accept bailing wire. Since the two largest cities allow m/c and a/c only with special permission, the inspectors are very picky with any job it is used on. Normaly you will not get that permission if any other conduit method can be used.

We take about a 20' length of tie wire and double it over, fastening one end to a stud or something. Put other end in chuck of cordless drill, and twist. It works great.Cut into pieces to secure most anything. Flex, EMT on lather's channel, or M/C.(The fact that there's no U/L on a 2x4 has been a fair enough comment with the inspectors here, I've never been turned down).